After a summer of debate, the EU working group responsible for reviewing the joint lobbyist register of the European Commission and European Parliament is poised to make recommendations for the future of the register. Strong regulations can shed light on how lobbyists shape the policy making process in the EU. However, the register in its current form is “unsustainable, misguided and simply not credible” -- according to a detailed report by the ALTER - EU, a coalition of about 200 civil society groups, trade unions, academics and public affairs firms concerned with the increasing influence exerted by corporate lobbyists on the political agenda in Europe.
The Sunlight Foundation applauds efforts to create more transparency around lobbying in the EU and encourages everyone to sign the petition launched by the ALTER-EU coalition.
Today in #OpenGov 11/8/2013
National News A new system that helps create, file, and track open records requests launched in October. iFOIA is a... View Article
Continue readingTake a stand for transparency and support the Sunlight Foundation (now even easier and with more impact)
At the Sunlight Foundation, we’re passionate about our mission to use technology and advocacy to catalyze a more open, transparent and accountable government. But we’re also a nonprofit and rely upon grants and donations to enable our passion and advance our mission. It’s all possible because of the generosity and help of our donors and friends — THANK YOU!
So, whether you’re a current or future donor, we want to share some great (and a few new) ways to support Sunlight’s mission to advance open data and open government that are easy and, in some cases, can double the impact of your gift.
Evaluating Municipal Campaign Finance Data: Alexandria
How do municipalities measure up to standards for releasing campaign finance data? Today, we look at Alexandria.
Continue readingWhere’s the G8 Open Data Charter Action Plan?
Earlier this year the United States, along with the other G8 countries, signed on to an Open Data Charter. The document represented a high-level, international commitment to open data and transparency. It committed G8 countries to five important open data principles, including making open data the default.
The document required signatories to release action plans for implementing the Charter by the end of October. Thanks to a tip from our friends at the German chapter of the Open Knowledge Foundation we've found that, so far, only Britain and Italy have released their full plans (Japan has a draft plan available). There has been no talk, that we can find, about the U.S. action plan.
Senate Committee Marks Up DATA Act, Clearing Way For Further Action
Yesterday morning, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs considered and passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) on a voice vote. The original legislation, introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mark Warner (D-VA), was replaced by an amendment in the nature of a substitute co-introduced by a number of committee members, including Senator Portman, and passed unanimously.
The amended legislation retains the soul of the original bill, which aims to standardize and open federal spending data, while making some concerning changes. Specifically, the Senate's new version scraps strong accountability mechanisms in an effort to keep costs down and fails to solve some governance problems that have long limited accurate federal spending data.
Today in #OpenGov 11/7/2013
National News The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy is set to hold a hearing on a bill that would increase... View Article
Continue readingOpen Data’s Business Value Isn’t That Important
I agree with Jonathan's diagnosis of distinct strains within the open government data community. But I don't think they have to be in tension. I've argued before that a big tent is beneficial to us all -- that blurring the lines between open data for accountability and open data for economic development can serve both constituencies' needs. After all, the great thing about open information is that its supply is limitless.
Continue readingEvaluating Municipal Campaign Finance Data: Albuquerque
How do municipalities measure up to standards for releasing campaign finance data? Today, we look at Albuquerque.
Continue readingSeattle TV stations did not disclose ad spending in GMO battle
Washington State's nearly $30 million ad war has come to an end, as voters struck down a referendum that would have mandated labeling of any products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It was the most expensive referendum battle, but the public does not have a clear picture of how, when or on what stations TV ads were purchased, as local stations appear to be relying on a loophole in a regulation to avoid disclosure.
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